Dan T. McCracken

Clyde, Dan Tracy McCracken, age 86, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at Silver Bluff Village.

A lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was a son of Hugh McCracken and Hannah Duckett McCracken.  He was also preceded in death by his sister, Jayne Rhinehart.

Dan graduated from Western Carolina University and received a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina.  He proudly worked and retired after 40+ years as a Supervisor at Haywood County Health Department.  Dan liked being active in his community and was a founding member of the Clyde Lions Club where he held many positions in the organization.  He was currently a Board Member of the Junaluska Sanitary District.  He survived 71 years of Type 1 Diabetes, which made him one of the longest living survivors of the disease in the U.S..  

He enjoyed being outdoors on his tractor, in his garden and splitting wood for the winter.  Dan was an avid fisherman and his favorite place besides Haywood County was Homer, Alaska.  Last year a special trip there with his whole family made for some once-in-a-lifetime lasting memories for all to share.  Most of all, he loved his family and grandchildren, and great-grandson.

Dan is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Judy Abbott McCracken; daughters, Cindy Byers (Darrell Fowler) and Tracey Palmer (Kim); sisters, Kittie Smart (Bob) and Teresa Chason (Dave); brother, Bob McCracken (Judie); two grandchildren, Lindsay Wertz and Eli Byers; great-grandson, Andrew Wertz; and his four-legged son, Rosco.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023 in the Canton chapel of Wells Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, P. O. Box 7023, Merrifield, Virginia 22116-7023.